Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-18
TUE THISTLE-S OPPONENTS.
Four Good SlOOps i'm the Field.
GENERAL PAISE's NEW STEEL wOSDER-THE CENTER
BOARD CONTROVERSY, ETC.


The New York Tribune says: ga question which
Is exciting even greater interest among yachts
men than the plans OF the Thistle is what boat
will be chosen to defend the Americas Cup. Last
fall the almost unanimous answer would have
been the MaynOwer. But now so many unknown
factors have been introduced that IL becomes a
matter for speculation. The contest for the honor
is admittedly narrowed down to four boats-the
Puritan, Priscilla, Maynower. and General Paine's
new steel yacht
The Puritan and the Mayfower will probably
come TO the line IN the trial races In about the
same condition as they were last year, and, of
course they may be expected TO show about the
same relative speed. TIE Priscilla however will
undergo some alterations, which her owner COM
uiosioFe Garfield. foBdiy hopes Will add materially
10 her eetneSs In brief her ballast Will be lowered
considerably, and her power viii be increased by
large additional sail area Whether these changes
viii enable her To make wake for the Mayflower
u sail in can only be discovered through actual eX
pGr1mentS; but whether they do or not, there is
Mr.. Burgess latest effort in naval architecture TO
b. met, and many people are just now pinning
their faith To that
Mr. Burgess does not hesitate to say that there
weak spots in the MaylOwer. and having found
Them he does not propose that they shall crop out
in the steel boat The latter is, in fact, neither
more nor less than another Maylower with the
faults corrected She Will have more overhang
both forward and aft, and will be seven feet
longer over all; but her water-Iine length, beam.
draught and sail area will be almost precisely the
same. Ii Is in her midShip section that IL Is
predecessor and this, it Is believed, will be more
powerful. one OF her greatest advantages Will be
that her weights Will be greatly lowered, the lead
ballast being run into the trough forming the bot
tom OF the keel
Mr.. Burgess refuses TO make public the exact
dimensions Of the new boat at present, but the
following came from a trustworthy source, and are
believed 10 be about right: Length over all, 100
feet: length water line. Sc feet; length of keel,
~ feet; beam texreme), % feet; draught, 10 feet.
Tine area Of her sails will be about as follows:
Nainsail, zoo square feet: gaftopsai 900: stay
sail, goo; Jib, 1,20O, and spinnaker, 1000 square
feet. Pussy & Jones. of Wilmington, began work
on the yacht early last week. and have contracted
10 complete her within ninety days. Mr.. Burgess
win watch her progress closely and put forth every
effort 10 make her what she should be.
THE NAVAL RESERVE.
"ThoSe members OF the Seawanhaka Club who
suggested the formation OF a naval reserve among
amateur yacth Snen have had the satisfaction OF
seeing the idea take root and grow with wonderful
rapidity. They have received much encourage
nent and unexpected aid from the naval authOri-
ties, and almost as soon as their subject became
known, and without much request from
them, a bill was Introduced in the Senate TO pro-
vide for such an organization as they sought. The
details of the plan or the reserve have not been
perfected yet"
THE CENTERBoARD QUESTION IN ENGLAND.
4 cable special from London to the New York
Herald says that the friends OF the owner OF the
Arrow underst and that he Will not surrender the
centerbOard condition; but among yachtSmen there
is the very predOminating view OF ayoring the use
Of centerbOardS in races being essential type
which will show the superiority or lnferiority OF
such design